Undergraduate Catalog

2008-09 Academic Year

Sociology

Sociology, SOCI

1510 (SOCI 1301). Individuals in Society. 3 hours. Social and cultural basis for human behavior; impact of societal groups and organizations on personal identity, feelings and actions; influence on the self in relation to the family, peer groups, social classes, religion and social institutions. Satisfies arts and sciences core social science requirements. Required of all sociology majors. Satisfies the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the University Core Curriculum.

1520 (SOCI 1306). Contemporary Social Problems. 3 hours. Conditions disruptive to society today, both those seen as problematic as a whole and those that violate the norms of special groups in society; includes population, poverty, minorities, crime, drugs, sexual deviance, mental illness, changing family patterns and violence. Satisfies arts and sciences core social science requirements. Advised for students planning sociology graduate work. Satisfies the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the University Core Curriculum.

2010 (SOCI 2319). Race, Class, Gender and Ethnicity. 3 hours. Social, cultural and economic perspectives on Native, African-, Asian- and Mexican-Americans; emphasizes work and family patterns for both women and men, racism and sexism and contemporary movements for equality. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum. (Same as WMST 2420.)

2050. Sociology of Sport. 3 hours. A study of social behavior in sport, with particular emphasis on its relationship to the cultural perspectives of socialization, minorities, economics, politics and current issues. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum. (Same as KINE 2050.)

2070. Introduction to Race and Ethnic Relations. 3 hours. Introduction to the basic theories within current and historical race and ethnicity relations. Includes examination of evidence of continuing prejudice, institutional discrimination and modern forms of racism. Other topics include assimilation, pluralism, contact hypothesis, anti-racism, immigration, segregation and racial identity. Required for all ethnic studies minors. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.

2100. Crime and Justice in the United States. 3 hours. This course examines the societal responses to people and organizations that violate criminal codes; discusses the history, development, organization and philosophy of the justice process; and analyzes the complex inter-relationships between the major components of the criminal justice system (police, courts and corrections). Satisfies the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the University Core Curriculum. (Same as CJUS 2100.)

3000. Sociology of Marriage and Family. 3 hours. Interpersonal dynamics of marriage and family life; role and influence of the family as both a powerful primary group and as a social institution in society; current status of families in the United States plus cross-cultural and historical patterns. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent. Advised for students planning sociology graduate work.

3110. Sociology of Mental Health, Mental Illness and Mental Health Care. 3 hours. Effects of social stresses and social integration on the mental health of various age, sex, ethnic and other groups within society; mental health care system and problems of access to that system among different subgroups in the population.

3120. Sociology of Health and Illness. 3 hours. Effects of social factors, such as age, sex, race and social class, on health and illness; differential access to health care services among subgroups of the U.S. population, including Blacks, Hispanics, Indians and the elderly; strains in the organization of the health care delivery system.

3190. Correctional Counseling. 3 hours. A study of the basic purposes and techniques of counseling with consideration given to the development of interpersonal skills required to enhance communication and to effect positive behavioral change. Special attention is devoted to exemplary and experimental programs aimed at promoting long-range social adjustment. Experiential learning is provided through case studies and situational exercises.

3330. Social Stratification. 3 hours. Bases of social differentiation; status, power and mobility in social systems; influence of stratification on behavior; class structure in the United States. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent. Advised for students planning sociology graduate work.

3460. Correctional Systems. 3 hours. This course focuses on prisons and jails. It examines the goals and history of punishment, the death penalty, the composition and social organization of jail and prison populations; bail, detention, sentencing and classification; institutional management and the conflicts between rehabilitation and punishment. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 2100 or equivalent. (Same as CJUS 3400.)

3560. Sociology of Disasters. 3 hours. Introduction to the study of human response to disaster events, including political and economic factors influencing vulnerability. Case studies of major disasters are used to explore topics such as the impact of gender, class, ethnicity and age on vulnerability, response, and impacts; the effects of larger political and economic systems on disaster response; and the relationship of disasters to social change. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent.

3600. The Multiracial Family. 3 hours. Academic study of the dynamics found in multiracial families. Important concepts in race/ethnicity studies such as assimilation, racial identity and pluralism. Other topics include passing, one-drop rule, interracial dating/marriage, bi- or multiracial identity and transracial adoption.

3620. Juvenile Delinquency. 3 hours. Examines juvenile delinquency in the United States. Specific attention is devoted to the definitions, measurement, and correlates of juvenile delinquency. Additional focus is paid to the various theories of juvenile delinquency and what each theory prescribes for preventing treating and handling juvenile delinquents. (Same as CJUS 3620.)

3630. Drugs, Crime and Society. 3 hours. Examines the relationship between drugs, crime and human behavior. Explores the relationship between drug abuse and crime and the policy proposals developed to control drug trafficking, drug abuse, and drug-related crime, as well as the multi-faceted aspects and effects of chemical abuse and dependency. (Same as CJUS 3630.)

3700. Sociology of Religion. 3 hours. Review of the common sociological dimensions of all religions such as moral definitions, group membership and dynamics, prescribed ritual practices and definitions of the sacred. An examination of sociologists contributing to the field such as Durkheim and Weber. Includes a sociological analysis of selected major world religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.

3800. Sociology of Work. 3 hours. Social behavior and performance in the workplace beginning at the emergence of the industrial revolution through current workplace arrangements (e.g., work teams). Special topics covered include discrimination in the workplace (e.g., race, age, gender), the relationship between work and family, work alienation, welfare and work, women and work, and unions. Implications for counselors, managers, union organizers, city planners and policy makers. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent.

3900. Race and Christianity. 3 hours. Focus on the reciprocal influence of race/ethnicity and Christianity in the United States. Explores the historical development of Christianity within different racial groups, evidence about the effects of Christianity on our tendency to engage in racism/discrimination, and the development of multiracial Christian institutions and their influence in our society.

4160. Developing Societies. 3 hours. Changing culture and institutions — family, population, religion, work and politics — in developing nations in South and Central America, Asia, and Africa; impact of industrial nations on societies experiencing rapid urban, bureaucratic, technological and industrial growth; implications for war and peace in the world. Advised for students planning sociology graduate work. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.

4240. Sociology of Sexuality. 3 hours. Sexuality and how it is perceived, defined and experienced in the context of society. Course explores sexuality as a social and historical construction and focuses on how sexuality influences our lives as reflected in social norms, attitudes and beliefs, and through public and private policies and practices. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent.

4250. Gender and Society. 3 hours. Analyzes gender as a major social institution which intersects with all other institutions, especially the family, work, religion, politics and education. Stresses programs to change the unequal treatment of women and men in these areas. Surveys contemporary changes and cultural variability in gender role definitions. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent.

4260. Topics in Sociology. 3 hours. Investigation, analysis and discussion of a significant, contemporary topic. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

4340. Social Psychology and Behavior in the Social Environment. 3 hours. Social and cultural bases of diverse human behavior; social matrix of personality, organization and disorganization. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent. Advised for students planning sociology graduate work.

4350. Community Organization. 3 hours. Principles of community organization and disorganization; agencies and programs dealing with contemporary problems facing the community. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent.

4450. The Family in Later Life. 3 hours. Later stages in the family life cycle are surveyed with emphasis on changing family composition, role transitions and support systems. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent. (Same as AGER 4450.)

4460. Community Corrections. 3 hours. This course examines the concept of community corrections from various perspectives. It also examines contemporary practices and trends in probation, parole and other forms of community corrections. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 2100 or equivalent. (Same as CJUS 4460.)

4500. Sociology of Childhood and Adolescence. 3 hours. Practical focus on socialization, parenting and educational strategies in childhood and adolescence, and upon the social factors, agencies and institutions (particularly education) affecting children and adolescents in modern society. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent.

4540. Race and Ethnic Minorities. 3 hours. Conditions and distribution of race and ethnic minorities; socio-psychological and cultural factors in race and ethnic relations; pattern of relations in the United States with emphasis on the Southwest and on social services. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or SOWK 1450 and other equivalents. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.

4550. Sociology of Aging. 3 hours. Twenty-somethings, generation Xers, baby boomers—all will be senior citizens sooner or later. Their sex, race/ethnicity, and social class will affect their experience of aging. Course explores issues related to successful aging, including what young adults should be doing now to ensure that they have happy, healthy, wealthy, and creative golden years. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent. (Same as AGER 4550.)

4600. Sociology of Mass Communication. 3 hours. Communication as a social process; patterns and institutions of mass communication; analysis of public opinion and propaganda; techniques of public opinion measurement. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 1510 or equivalent.

4750. World Population Trends and Problems. 3 hours. Patterns of population growth; trends of fertility and mortality; migration; social and economic consequences of population change.

4870. Social Research and Practice. 3 hours. Principles and procedures; sources of data, techniques of collection and analysis, and statistical description. Prerequisite(s): advanced (junior or senior) standing. Required of all sociology majors. (Same as AGER 4870.)

4880. Quantitative Methods of Social Research. 3 hours. Role of quantitative methods in social research; application of quantitative techniques and procedures to social data, statistical inference; data processing. Prerequisite(s): SOCI 4870 or equivalent. Required of all sociology majors. (Same as AGER 4880 and SOWK 4880.)

4900-4910. Special Problems. 1–3 hours each.

4920. Cooperative Education in Sociology. 1–3 hours. Supervised work in a job directly related to the student’s major, professional field of study or career objective. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours credit in sociology; student must meet the employer’s requirements and have consent of the division chair. May be repeated for credit.

4951. Honors College Capstone Thesis. 3 hours. Major research project prepared by the student under the supervision of a faculty member and presented in standard thesis format. An oral defense is required of each student for successful completion of the thesis. Prerequisite(s): completion of at least 6 hours in honors courses; completion of at least 12 hours in the major department in which the thesis is prepared; approval of the department chair and the dean of the school or college in which the thesis is prepared; approval of the dean of the Honors College. May be substituted for HNRS 4000.

“University of North Texas,” “UNT” and “Discover the power of ideas” are officially registered trademarks of the University of North Texas; their use by others is legally restricted. If you have questions about using any of these marks, please contact the UNT Division of University Relations, Communications and Marketing at (940) 565-2108 or e-mail branding@unt.edu.